Posted on 12/17/2004 7:18:04 AM PST by Billie
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Read: Isaiah 9:1-7
Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given. —Isaiah 9:6
Bible In One Year: Jonah 1-4; Revelation 10
A group of children from our city were in a worship service, and we started to sing. Ariel, age 7, leaned close to me and softly said, "I love this song; it makes me cry."
The music and words about Jesus, her Savior, touched her heart: "Isn't He beautiful? Beautiful, isn't He? Prince of peace, Son of God, isn't He?"
Yes, the Lord Jesus is beautiful. We don't find a specific reference in the Bible describing Him that way, but His personal character is strong yet gentle, holy yet forgiving, majestic yet humble—all combined. Simply beautiful!
In his prophecy, Isaiah described Jesus and His coming in this way: "Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).
Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor—giving us comfort and wisdom. The Mighty God—acting with power and authority. The Everlasting Father—providing for all our needs and protecting us. And the Prince of Peace—offering reconciliation with God and others.
Isn't Jesus beautiful! Worship Him. —Anne Cetas
The wonder is He makes it possible for mortals to be accepted in the eyes of God!
Thinking about all He bore so that we might live with our Father brings profound thoughts as we celebrate His birth among us.
He is the Ultimate Gift of a God who extends His grace and eternal love.
"Not I," saith the LadyX.
"I was doing assorted tasks of cleaning and decorating and getting Christmas cards addressed."
For those of you who are feeling especially pressured and harried, here is a version of Psalm 23 just for you..:))
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not rush.
He makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals.
He provides me with images of stillness which restore my serenity.
He leads me in ways of efficiency through calmness of mind,
and His guidance is peace.
Even though I have a great many things to accomplish each day ---
I will not fret, for His presence is here!
His timelessness, His ALL importance, will keep me in balance.
He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activity
by anointing my mind with His oil of tranquility.
My cup of joyous energy overflows!
Surely, harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruits of my hours,
for I shall walk in the Pace of my Lord -- and dwell in His house --
forever!!
Thanks for the good words.
My daughter was here for the weekend. Yesterday we decorated the house and put up the tree. She does such a great job. It is so special to reminisce over old ornaments that each have a story of their own. She'll be back next weekend with Grandma and our Christmas will be special as it always is. Hope yours is, too.
John 1
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=50&chapter=1&version=9
Hi Crabbie
Happy Sunday to you and yours!
Merry Christmas
I escaped from the clutches of the evil barcalounger.
;-)
Hark!
Put down thy remote and think of some Good Deed to do this beautiful day!!
Waste not - want not, Darks --
Does running a soundboard on request count?
(Cross fingers/pray.. I am tone deaf and have no clue what I am doing.)
Ah, yes!
Some of mine go back as far as the early 60's in South Dakota and Alaska and several states since, and indeed evoke many memories..:))
I hope you are greatly blessed and encouraged by this.
MINOR TRAVELING UNATTENDED
Right before the jet-way door closed, I scrambled aboard the plane going from LA to Chicago, lugging my laptop and overstuffed briefcase. It was the first leg of an important business trip a few weeks before Christmas, and I was running late. I had a ton of work to catch up on. Half wishing, half praying I muttered, "Please God, do me a favor; let there be an empty seat next to mine, I don't need any distractions."
I was on the aisle in a two seat row. Across sat a businesswoman with her nose buried in a newspaper. No problem. But in the seat beside mine, next to the window, was a young boy wearing a big red tag around his neck: Minor Traveling Unattended.
The kid sat perfectly still, hands in his lap, eyes straight ahead. He'd probably been told never to talk to strangers. Good, I thought.
Then the flight attendant came by. "Michael, I have to sit down because we're about to take off," she said to the little boy. "This nice man will answer any of your questions, okay?"
Did I have a choice? I offered my hand, and Michael shook it twice, straight up and down.
"Hi, I'm Jerry," I said. "You must be about seven years old."
"I'll bet you don't have any kids," he responded.
"Why do you think that? Sure I do." I took out my wallet to show him pictures.
"Because I'm six."
"I was way off, huh?"
The captains' voice came over the speakers, "Flight attendants, prepare for takeoff."
Michael pulled his seat belt tighter and gripped the armrests as the jet engines roared.
I leaned over, "Right about now, I usually say a prayer. I ask God to keep the plane safe and to send angels to protect us."
"Amen," he said, then added, "but I'm not afraid of dying. I'm not afraid because my mama's already in Heaven."
"I'm sorry." I said.
"Why are you sorry?" he asked, peering out the window as the plane lifted off.
"I'm sorry you don't have your mama here."
My briefcase jostled at my feet, reminding me of all the work I needed to do.
"Look at those boats down there!" Michael said as the plane banked over the Pacific. "Where are they going?"
"Just going sailing, having a good time. And there's probably a fishing boat full of guys like you and me."
"Doing what?" he asked.
"Just fishing, maybe for bass or tuna. Does your dad ever take you fishing?"
"I don't have a dad," Michael sadly responded.
Only six years old and he didn't have a dad, and his Mom had died, and here he was flying halfway across the country all by himself. The least I could do was make sure he had a good flight. With my foot I pushed my briefcase under my seat.
"Do they have a bathroom here?" he asked, squirming a little.
"Sure," I said, "let me take you there."
I showed him how to work the "Occupied" sign, and what buttons to push on the sink, then he closed the door. When he emerged, he wore a wet shirt and a huge smile.
"That sink shoots water everywhere!"
The attendants smiled.
Michael got the VIP treatment from the crew during snack time. I took out my laptop and tried to work on a talk I had to give, but my mind kept going to Michael. I couldn't stop looking at the crumpled grocery bag on the floor by his seat. He'd told me that everything he owned was in that bag. Poor kid.
While Michael was getting a tour of the cockpit the flight attendant told me his grandmother would pick him up in Chicago. In the seat pocket a large manila envelope held all the paperwork regarding his custody. He came back explaining, "I got wings! I got cards! I got more peanuts. I saw the pilot and he said I could come back anytime!"
For a while he stared at the manila envelope.
"What are you thinking?" I asked Michael.
He didn't answer. He buried his face in his hands and started sobbing. It had been years since I'd heard a little one cry like that. My kids were grown -- still I don't think they'd ever cried so hard. I rubbed his back and wondered where the flight attendant was.
"What's the matter buddy?" I asked.
All I got were muffled words "I don't know my grandma. Mama didn't want her to come visit and see her sick. What if Grandma doesn't want me? Where will I go?"
"Michael, do you remember the Christmas story? Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus? Remember how they came to Bethlehem just before Jesus was born? It was late and cold, and they didn't have anywhere to stay, no family, no hotels, not even hospitals where babies could be born. Well, God was watching out for them. He found them a place to stay; a stable with animals."
"Wait, wait," Michael tugged on my sleeve. "I know Jesus. I remember now."
Then he closed his eyes, lifted his head and began to sing. His voice rang out with a strength that rocked his tiny frame. "Jeeesus looooves me -- thiiiiiis I knowwwwwww. For the Biiiiiible tells meeeeee sooooo....."
Passengers turned or stood up to see the little boy who made the large sound. Michael didn't notice his audience. With his eyes shut tight and voice lifted high, he was in a good place.
"You've got a great voice," I told him when he was done. "I've never heard anyone sing like that."
"Mama said God gave me good pipes just like my grandma's," he said. "My grandma loves to sing, she sings in her church choir."
"Well, I'll bet you can sing there, too. The two of you will be running that choir."
The seat belt sign came on as we approached O'Hare. The flight attendant came by and said we just have a few minutes now, but she told Michael it's important that he put on his seat belt. People started stirring in their seats, like the kids before the final school bell. By the time the seat belt sign went off, passengers were rushing down the aisle. Michael and I stayed seated.
"Are you gonna go with me?" he asked.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world buddy!" I assured him.
Clutching his bag and the manila envelope in one hand, he grabbed my hand with the other. The two of us followed the flight attendant down the Jetway. All the noises of the airport seemed to fill the corridor.
Michael stopped, flipping his hand from mine, he dropped to his knees. His mouth quivered. His eyes brimmed with tears.
"What's wrong Michael? I'll carry you if you want."
He opened his mouth and moved his lips, but it was as if his words were stuck in his throat. When I knelt next to him, he grabbed my neck. I felt his warm, wet face as he whispered in my ear, "I want my mama!"
I tried to stand, but Michael squeezed my neck even harder. Then I heard a rattle of footsteps on the corridor's metal floor.
"Is that you, baby?"
I couldn't see the woman behind me, but I heard the warmth in her voice.
"Oh baby," she cried. "Come here. Grandma loves you so much. I need a hug, baby. Let go of that nice man." She knelt beside Michael and me.
Michael's grandma stroked his arm. I smelled a hint of orange blossoms.
"You've got folks waiting for you out there, Michael. Do you know that you've got aunts, and uncles and cousins?"
She patted his skinny shoulders and started humming. Then she lifted her head and sang. I wondered if the flight attendant told her what to sing, or maybe she just knew what was right. Her strong, clear voice filled the passageway, "Jesus loves me -- this I know..."
Michael's gasps quieted. Still holding him, I rose, nodded hello to his grandma and watched her pick up the grocery bag. Right before we got to the doorway to the terminal, Michael loosened his grip around my neck and reached for his grandma.
As soon as she walked across the threshold with him, cheers erupted. From the size of the crowd, I figured family, friends, pastors, elders, deacons, choir members and most of the neighbors had come to meet Michael. A tall man tugged on Michael's ear and pulled off the red sign around his neck.
It no longer applied.
As I made my way to the gate for my connecting flight, I barely noticed the weight of my overstuffed briefcase and laptop. I started to wonder who would be in the seat next to mine this time....And I smiled.
By Jerry Seiden
**LadyX hereby issues a request for Darks to play her favorite Christmas song -- O Holy Night.**
It has been assured that the Lord appreciates any music devoted to Him, played with sincerity and enthusiasm.
He surely overlooks any odd sounds generated in the process of worshiping Him..:))
Well, there's a pitch bender on the sopundboard, and it is pretty close to one certain microphone's volume control.
Hopefully, no-one minds if I grab the wrong one and someone sounds like Alvin and the Chipmunks for a second or three.
*!!!*
Well, we were at Church, and now unfortunately I have to go to Walmart to get a few things.
Today also is my husband's and my Anniversary, and he has to play a gig tonight for a Christmas party. I'm going to tag along for a set or two.
Blessings to you and Eve and your family,
~ LadyX
This is Eve's favorite Christmas song also.
This is Eve's favorite Christmas song also.
Head on over to Amy's P & P. Jen posted a link to O Holy Night at post #209.
Hello Finest FRiends! Hope you enjoy the Christmas music I posted at Amy's Place. "O Holy Night" is one of my favorite Christmas songs too. Blessings to you all.
What a beautiful story.
Merry Christmas!
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